Device for holding and displaying goods.



No. 736,813 PATBNTED AUG. 18, 1903. G. W. BOYD.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND DISPLAYING GOODS.

- APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8. 1902.

R0 MODEL.

' UNITED STATES Patented August 18, 1903.

- PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE \V. BOYD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 736,813, dated August 18, 1903.

Application iiled September 8, 1902. Serial No. 122,683. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. BOYD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wash ington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Holding and Displaying Goods, of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to devices for holding and displaying goods, and is designed more particularly for use in connection with chamois-skins and like articles which it is desirable to stretch or spread out and keep fiat throughoutaconsiderable portion of their area.

The invention consists in a spring-clamp of novel construction designed and adapted to hold and press a greater or less number of skins or like thin bodies, to hold a considerable portion thereof stretched or smoothly spread out, and to press and hold the same not merely by thin or sharp clamping edges, but by extended surfaces.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the clamp, showing a single skin held therein; Fig. 2, an edge view of the empty clamp, the two jaws being closed one upon the other; and Fig. 3, a view similar to Fig. 2, except that the jaws are thrown open and held in such position by a hook or link provided for the purpose, one of the jaws being broken away for want of space.

In drug-stores, where a considerable numbers of chamois-skins are kept in stock, it is found difficult to keep them in good condition and free from creases and folds, particularly if frequently handled and examined. The more common practice is to place them in a drawer, though they are sometimes hung upon a hook or fastened together at one extremity by a cord, wire, or like device. As a consequence the skins in a comparatively short time become more or less mussed, wrinkled, and disfigured, and, moreover, unless carefully spread out they occupy an undue amount of space and are frequently caught by the drawer in closing the same. To obviate these difficulties, I provide a clamp comprising two jaw-frames A and B of substantially like form-that is to say, each comprisin g three sides of a rectangular parallelogram and a fourth side preferably of wavy or irregular outline, as seen in Fig. 1. Each jaw is made of metal or other suitable material and is provided with two studs a b, one at each side and advisablyabout one-third the distance from the upper end as the device appears in the several figures. The studs (1 1) project outward from the side edges of the frames A and B and serve as points of attachment for bow-springs O, which may be connected to the studs in any convenient manner. In the drawings I have represented the studs as slotted and the springs O as-havin'g their ends bent into alinement with-the slots and inserted therein. They may be secured by soldering, riveting, or in any equivalent manner, or the studs may be compressed upon the ends of the springs, so'as to retain them in place. i

The frame A has its inner face wholly in one plane, but is provided at each side about midway between its upper side and the studs a with lugs c of substantially circular form. The frame B has its body in two diiferent planes, one at an obtuse angle to the other, as best seen in Fig. 2, the deflection beginning at or about the studs 1) and continuing thence to the upper boundary of the frame and being such as to permit the portions of the frames A B below the studs a b to lie in contact, or substantially so, throughout their area, while making space between the frames for the lugs 0 above the studs a b, as will be readily understood by reference to the several figures of the drawings.

Each frame or member of theclamp is provided with a bail or loop (I, one of which is furnished with a hook or link 6. The purpose of this hook is to connect the bails d and hold open the clamp when the jaws are thrown apart to their full extent, or practically so, as indicated in Fig. 3. This may be desirable when placing a number of skins or other bodies within the clamp.

It will be observed that while the lugs c normally form fulcrums or pivots for the jaws there is no positive connection of the jaws at these points, the only direct or positive connection being that afforded by the springs 0.

if a quantity of skins of greater thickness than the jaws or members can accommodate and bear flatly upon when jaw B rests upon the lugs c be introduced the springs C will permit the jaws to bodily separate, breaking the contact or bearing between jaw B and lugs o, and thus permitting the jaws to adapt themselves to whatever is placed between them. In the drawings I have shown the springs in the form of flat steel bows of approximately circular form, and such form I prefer because of its cheapness, simplicity, and satisfactory action. The upper sides of the bows are advisably made coincident with the centers of the lugs c, or substantially so, in order that the jaws or members may rock naturally upon the lugs c as bearings or fulof wavy or serpentine form for the purpose of reaching over a considerable area of the skins and keeping them spread out flat. If the skins be materially longer or wider than the clamp, as ordinarily they will be, the portions outside the clamp may be conveniently folded over upon the clamp preparatory to placing the whole within a drawer or other receptacle; but in .such case the skins will be held in good shape, may be readily examined one after another, and in case it be desired any one or more may be quickly withdrawn from the clamp and the others again secured therein.

I am aware that spring clamps, clips, and holders have been made in a variety of forms and used for numerous purposes. I am not, however, aware that any one has heretofore produced a clamp adapted to obtain an extended bearing over or upon flat sheets or bodies of varying thickness or that they have been so fashioned or contrived as to stretch and hold smooth sheets of any material size or a considerable portion of such sheets.

It is of course immaterial upon which of the jaws the lugs c are made, and the form of said lugs is not important. The proportions may vary, as also the outline or contour of the jaws, although I prefer that shown in the drawings, and particularly the wavy or serpentine lower edge, for the reason stated.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The herein-described device for holding and displaying goods, comprising a jaw A having projecting studs or fulcrums c and lugs a; jaw B provided with lugsb and having the portion above the lugs I) out of plane with the portion below said lugs; and springs C secured to the studs a, b, and serving to hold the jaw B in contact with the fulcrumlugs c and to urge the lower portions of the jaws toward-one another.

2. The herein-described device for holding and displaying goods, comprising a jaw or frame A provided with lugs c; a frame B corresponding in form with and adapted to bear upon the frame A through a considerable portion of its boundaries and thence inclined therefrom; and springs 0 connecting said frames, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination with jaw A provided with laterally-projecting lugs a and with fulcrum-studs c projecting from its face; jaw B provided withlaterally-projectinglugs b; and bow-springs C secured to the lugs a, b and forming the only connection between the jaws or frames A, B, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE W. BOYD. Witnesses:

HORACE A. DODGE, FANNIE WIsE. 

